Electronically augmented multiplayer sporting game with virtual ball passed by infrared apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for conducting multi-player games in a wireless telecommunications system including a wireless telecommunications network which communicates using radio signals with a plurality of mobile terminals. The objects of the multi-player games are accomplished in the invention by passing a virtual ball between the mobile terminals. The virtual ball can be passed between the mobile terminals using various means including infrared (IR) transmission, a call being placed, Short Message Service (SMS), or short range radio apparatus. The virtual ball could include data or information regarding the game and/or advertising or promotional information regarding products or services being offered. The data or information in the virtual ball is automatically displayed on the display of the mobile terminal upon receiving the virtual ball.

[0001] The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No.09/469,291, filed Dec. 22, 1999, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a multi-player game using avirtual ball. More particularly, the present invention relates to amulti-player game that can be played using apparatus including wirelessmobile terminals operating in a wireless telecommunications system.

[0003] Various multi-player games using wireless apparatus have beenproposed. These multi-player games typically operate, for example, usinginfrared transmission and receiving devices that are primarily providedfor simulating the shooting of other players or objects. Infrared lighttransmitted from one such wireless game apparatus (light gun) may strikea target which includes an infrared detector for detecting when theinfrared light strikes the target and an infrared transmitter forsignaling to the light gun and other apparatus that the infrared fromthe light gun has hit the target. Typical of such games is “laser tag”.

[0004] Various apparatus have been proposed regarding infrared datatransmission systems, game apparatus and light guns. Examples of suchapparatus are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,794,841; 3,870,305;4,426,662; and 4,799,683.

[0005] However, such apparatus may not encourage a significant amount ofphysical exertion on the part of the players or interaction among theplayers when the object of the game is to strike a non-moving target.Further, such apparatus require that each of the players to be fittedwith special custom apparatus specifically designed to interact witheach other to effect the game play. This is particularly inherent ingames such as laser tag. Still further, such apparatus do not transmitas part of the infrared light signal data or information which could,for example, cause the target to perform particular operations such asdisplaying a display the data or information included in the infraredlight signal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides a method and apparatus forconducting multi-player games in a wireless telecommunications systemincluding a wireless telecommunications network which communicates witha plurality of mobile terminals using radio signals, wherein objects ofthe games are accomplished by passing a virtual ball between the mobileterminals. In the present invention, passing of the virtual ball betweenthe mobile terminals is accomplished using apparatus included in eachmobile terminal, the wireless telecommunications network and/or shortrange radio apparatus.

[0007] In the present invention, the virtual ball could, for example, bepassed between mobile terminals by infrared (IR) transmission from IRapparatus included as part of each mobile terminal, by a call beingplaced between mobile terminals through the wireless telecommunicationsnetwork, by a Short Message Service (SMS) message which is transmittedby a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) of the wirelesstelecommunications system or by short range radio apparatus whichoperates according to, for example, the Bluetooth standard.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention when thevirtual ball is passed between mobile terminals by IR transmission, afirst signal including the virtual ball is transmitted from a firstmobile terminal to a second mobile terminal representing the virtualball being passed from the first mobile terminal to the second mobileterminal. In response to receipt of the first signal in the secondmobile terminal, a second signal is sent from the second mobile terminalto the first mobile terminal indicating that the virtual ball has beencaught. In response to receipt of the second signal in the first mobileterminal, a third signal is sent from the first mobile terminal to thesecond mobile terminal including an activation code for activating thevirtual ball. In response to receipt of the third signal in the secondmobile terminal, a fourth signal is sent from the second mobile terminalto the first mobile terminal acknowledging receipt of the activationcode and indicating that the second mobile terminal is now in possessionof the virtual ball. Thereafter, in the second mobile terminal thevirtual ball is activated using the activation code.

[0009] It should be noted that the passing of the virtual ball by IRtransmission may not necessarily require that wirelesstelecommunications mobile terminals be used. Any terminal having IRtransmission and receiving apparatus would accomplish the goals of thegame.

[0010] The virtual ball being passed between the mobile terminals could,for example, be a ball used in a multi-player game having a goal usedfor scoring. In such a game, the virtual ball can be passed betweenmobile terminals using the IR apparatus included in each of the mobileterminals. Opposing players could block the passing of the ball usingtheir bodies or other means. One of the mobile terminals can be used asa goal and points are scored by transmitting the virtual ball from themobile terminal of a player to the goal.

[0011] Initiation of game play could occur by randomly selecting amobile terminal and passing the virtual ball to the selected mobileterminal from a server in the telecommunications system using a call, aSMS message, IR transmission or short range radio signal.

[0012] The virtual ball could, for example, include the rules or otherinformation concerning the game and/or data or information such asadvertising or promotional offers which are to be viewed or takenadvantage of by the players. The data or information contained in thevirtual ball could, for example, be automatically displayed on thedisplay of the mobile terminal of the player receiving the virtual ball.

[0013] When the virtual ball includes such data or information, theobject of the game could be to pass the virtual ball to another playerwithin a preset period of time. By passing the virtual ball to anotherplayer within the preset period of time the player could win, forexample, promotional items such a discount on the purchase of a productor service being advertised.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present invention will be more apparent from the followingdetailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a telecommunicationssystem according to the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operations performed bymobile terminals in the telecommunications system according to thepresent invention; and

[0017]FIG. 3 illustrates the operations performed by mobile terminalsand the wireless telecommunications network according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention shall be described using FIGS. 1-3. Itshould be noted that the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3is one example of an embodiment of the present invention. The presentinvention can be implemented according to any other embodiment known tothose of ordinary skill in the art.

[0019] The present invention provides a method and apparatus forconducting multi-player games in a wireless telecommunications systemsuch as that illustrated in FIG. 1. The wireless telecommunicationssystem includes a wireless telecommunications network 10 whichcommunicates with a plurality of mobile terminals 12-1 through 12-3using radio signals. The objects of any of the games played using theapparatus of the wireless telecommunications system are accomplished bypassing a virtual ball between the mobile terminals 12-1 through 12-3.One of the mobile terminals, for example, mobile terminal 12-2, could beused as a goal to which the virtual ball is passed to score points.Special goal apparatus can also be provided to permit all of the playershaving mobile terminals to participate in the multi-player game.

[0020] In the present invention, the passing of a signal including avirtual ball between the mobile terminals 12 could, for example, beaccomplished using apparatus included in each mobile terminal, thewireless telecommunications network 10 and/or a short range radio basestation 14.

[0021] One alternative for effecting the passing of the virtual ballbetween mobile terminals 12 is accomplished using IR light signals. Eachmobile terminal 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes infrared (IR)apparatus 1210 which transmits and receives IR light signals. The IRlight signals being transmitted to and from a mobile terminal 12 cancarry a signal representing a virtual ball. Transmitting the signal fromone mobile terminal to another mobile terminal represents passing thevirtual ball from the one mobile terminal and catching the virtual ballin the other mobile terminal. Each mobile terminal 12 also includes adisplay 1212 which is used to display.

[0022] The virtual ball included in the IR light signal received by amobile terminal 12 could, for example, contain information regarding thegame including information of one or more of the players of the gameand/or advertising or promotional information regarding a product orservice. The information contained in a virtual ball is automaticallydisplayed on the display 1212 of the mobile terminal 12.

[0023] It should be noted that the passing of the virtual ball by IRtransmission may not necessarily require that wirelesstelecommunications mobile terminals be used. Any terminal having IRtransmission and receiving apparatus would accomplish the goals of thegame.

[0024] Another alternative for effecting the passing of the virtual ballbetween mobile terminals 12 is accomplished by using the short rangeradio base station 14 to transmit a signal including the virtual ballbetween mobile terminals. The short range radio base station 14 canoperate, for example, according to the bluetooth standard. The shortrange radio base station 14 can also be used to initiate the start ofthe multi-player game. Particularly, the short range radio base station14 when initiating the start of the multi-player game, randomly selectsone of the mobile terminals and passes a signal including the virtualball to the selected mobile terminal 12. The randomly selected mobileterminal 12 upon receipt of the signal including the virtual ball canthen begin the multi-player game by passing a signal including thevirtual ball to a teammate. Thereafter, players on the same teamcooperate to ultimately pass the virtual ball to the goal to scorepoints. Opposing players can prevent the passing of the signal includingvirtual ball by blocking the IR light signal with their body or usingother means.

[0025] Yet another alternative for effecting the passing of the virtualball between mobile terminals is accomplished by transmitting a signalincluding the virtual ball via a call established by the wirelesstelecommunications network 10, between mobile terminals and/or bysending Short Message Service (SMS) messages between mobile terminalsusing the Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 16 of the wirelesstelecommunications system.

[0026] As described above, a virtual ball can be passed between mobileterminals 12 by use of the IR apparatus 1210 included in each mobileterminal 12. According to FIG. 2, in order to effect the passing of avirtual ball between a first mobile terminal 12-1 and a second mobileterminal 12-2, a first signal 20 including the virtual ball istransmitted from the first mobile terminal 12-1 to the second mobileterminal 12-2 representing the virtual ball being passed from the firstmobile terminal 12-1 to the second mobile terminal 12-2. In response toreceipt of the first signal 20 in the second mobile terminal 12-2, asecond signal 22 is sent from the second mobile terminal 12-2 to thefirst mobile terminal 12-1 indicating that the virtual ball has beencaught. In response to receipt of the second signal 22 in the firstmobile terminal 12-1, a third signal 24 is sent from the first mobileterminal 12-1 to the second mobile terminal 12-2 including an activationcode for activating the virtual ball. In response to receipt of thethird signal 24 in the second mobile terminal 12-2, a fourth signal 26is sent from the second mobile terminal 12-2 to the first mobileterminal 12-1 acknowledging receipt of the activation code andindicating that the second mobile terminal 12-2 is now in possession ofthe virtual ball. Thereafter, the second mobile terminal 12-2 activatesthe virtual ball using the activation code. Each of the first throughfourth signals can, for example, be IR light signals transmitted andreceived by the IR apparatus 1210 included in each of the mobileterminals.

[0027] It should be noted that the passing of the virtual ball by IRtransmission may not necessarily require that wirelesstelecommunications mobile terminals be used. Any terminal having IRtransmission and receiving apparatus would accomplish the goals of thegame. It should be further noted that if SMS messaging is used ratherthan IR transmissions, confirmations of receipt of messages is inherentin the system. Thus, confirmation signals and confirmation signals arenot necessary.

[0028] Although not illustrated in FIG. 2, initiation of the game can beaccomplished by the wireless telecommunications network 10 or the shortrange radio base station 14 randomly selecting a mobile terminal 12 andsending a fifth signal including the virtual ball to the selected(first) mobile terminal 12-1. Sending the fifth signal including thevirtual ball to the first mobile terminal 12-1 in this manner places thevirtual ball in play so that the multi-player game can proceed. Further,as described above, one of the mobile terminals 12-2 or a special goalapparatus (not shown) can be used as a goal for scoring. The goal canalso serve a function of enforcing the rules of the multi-player game.

[0029] Further, as described above, a signal including the virtual ballcan be passed between mobile terminals 12 by use of the wirelesstelecommunications network 10 or by use of the short range radio basestation 14. The wireless telecommunications network 10 can, for example,send the signal including the virtual ball between mobile terminal byplacing a call between the mobile terminal 12 and/or by sending SMSmessages between the mobile terminals. The short range radio basestation 14, can, for example, send the signal including the virtual ballbetween mobile terminals by transmitting short range radio signalsbetween the mobile terminals. FIG. 3 illustrates the operationsperformed by the mobile terminals 12 and the wireless telecommunicationsnetwork 10 or the short range radio base station 14 to cause the passingof the virtual ball between mobile terminals.

[0030]FIG. 3 will be described below relative to the wirelesstelecommunications network 10. However, it should be noted thatessentially the same description applies to the case where the wirelesstelecommunications network 10 is replaced by the short range basestation 14.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the start of a multi-player game can beinitiated by the wireless telecommunications network 10 randomlyselecting a mobile terminal and passing a first signal including thevirtual ball the selected (first) to mobile terminal 12-1. The firstsignal 30 could, for example, be a call sent from the wirelesstelecommunications network 10 to the first mobile terminal 12-1 or a SMSmessage transmitted from the SMSC 16 of the wireless telecommunicationsnetwork 10 to the first mobile terminal 12-1. Further, the first signal20 could be a short range radio signal when the short range radio basestation 14 is being used rather than the wireless telecommunicationsbase station 10.

[0032] The virtual ball of the first signal 30 could, for example,include data or information regarding the multi-player game oradvertising or promotional information of a product or service beingoffered. The data or information included in the virtual ball isautomatically displayed on the display 1212 of the mobile terminal 12-1upon receipt of the signal including the virtual ball. The informationconcerning the multi-player game could, for example, provide rules ofthe game to be followed. The rules could, for example, require the userof the first mobile terminal 12-1 to pass the virtual ball to anotheruser of another mobile terminal 12-2 within a preset period of time. Therules could further state that if the virtual ball is passed to anotheruser of another mobile terminal within a preset period of time, then theuser of the first mobile terminal 12-1 would receive promotional items.These promotional items could include, for example, discounts on theproduct or service being advertised.

[0033] Thus, according to the above, the user of the first mobileterminal 12-1 can cause the virtual ball to be passed to another mobileterminal by sending a second signal 32 including the virtual ball fromthe first mobile terminal 12-1 to the wireless telecommunicationsnetwork 10 representing that the virtual ball is being passed to anothermobile terminal 12-2 identified by the user of the first mobile terminal12-1. The wireless telecommunications network 10 upon receipt of thesecond signal 32 establishes a connection with a second mobile terminal12-2 identified by the user of the first mobile terminal 12-1 and sendsa third signal 34 including the virtual ball to the second mobileterminal 12-2. The sending of the third signal 34 represents thecompletion of the passing of the virtual ball from the first mobileterminal 12-1 to the second mobile terminal 12-2.

[0034] The second mobile terminal 12-2 upon receipt of the third signal34 from the wireless telecommunications network 10, automaticallydisplays the data or information contained in the virtual ball on itsdisplay 1212-2. The data or information displayed on the display 1212-2of the second mobile terminal 12-2 informs the rules of the game to theuser of the second mobile terminal 12-2. Further, the data orinformation displayed on the display of the second mobile terminal 12-2informs the user of the second mobile terminal 12-2 of advertisement andpromotional information concerning a product or service. As with theuser of the first mobile terminal 12-1, the user of the second mobileterminal 12-2 is offered an incentive in the form of promotional itemsfor passing the virtual ball to still yet another mobile terminal withina preset period of time.

[0035] Alternatively, the first mobile terminal 12-1 upon receipt of thefirst signal 30 including the virtual ball initiating play of the gamecan, for example, send a fourth signal 36 including the virtual balldirectly to the second mobile terminal 12-2 without using the wirelesstelecommunications network 10. The fourth signal 36 including thevirtual ball could, for example, be transmitted by the IR apparatus 1210included within each of the mobile terminals 12 or by the short rangeradio base station 14 which operates according to the bluetoothstandard.

[0036] Thus, according to the above, the present invention provides amethod and apparatus for conducting multi-player games in a wirelesstelecommunications system including a wireless telecommunicationsnetwork which communicates with a plurality of mobile terminals usingradio signals. The objects of the games are accomplished by passing avirtual ball between the mobile terminals. The passing of the virtualball between the mobile terminals can be accomplished by transmittingand receiving IR light signals to and from IR apparatus included as partof each mobile terminal, by placing a call through the wirelesstelecommunications system between mobile terminals, by transmitting aSMS message between mobile terminals by a SMSC in the wirelesstelecommunications system and/or by transmitting short range radiosignals between mobile terminals by short range radio apparatus whichoperates according to the bluetooth standard. The virtual ball could,for example, include data or information such as the rules of the gameand/or advertising or promotional information which are automaticallydisplayed on the display of the mobile terminal once the virtual ballhas been received. The multi-player games could, for example, beconducted where players pass the virtual ball between mobile terminalswith the ultimate goal of passing the virtual ball to a goal forscoring. Alternatively, the multi-player games could, for example, beconducted where the virtual ball includes data or information which isautomatically displayed on the display of the mobile terminal and wherethe virtual ball must be passed to another player within a preset periodof time entitling the user of the mobile terminal to promotional items.

[0037] While the present invention has been described in detail andpictorially in the accompanying drawings it is not limited to suchdetails since many changes and modifications recognizable to those ofordinary skill in the art may be made to the invention without departingfrom the spirit and the scope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of conducting a multi-player game in awireless telecommunications system, comprising: receiving, by a mobileterminal operated by a first player, a message including a virtual ballrelating to the multi-player game, the virtual ball includinginformation relating to rules for the multi-player game and dataautomatically displayed on a display of the mobile terminal, wherein therules define a period of time requiring the first player to forward thevirtual ball to another player for receiving a promotional item;forwarding, by the mobile terminal operated by the first player, thevirtual ball to another mobile terminal; and providing the promotionalitem to said mobile terminal operated by the first player if the virtualball is forwarded within the period of time defined in the rules for themulti-player game.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data displayedon the display of the mobile terminal includes advertising information.3. The method of claim 2, wherein the advertising information displayedon the mobile terminal relates to the promotional item.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the promotional item comprises discount on a product.5. A mobile terminal for conducting a multi-player game in a wirelesstelecommunications system, comprising: a display; means for receiving,in said mobile terminal being operated by a first player, a messageincluding a virtual ball relating to the multi-player game, wherein thevirtual ball includes information relating to rules for the multi-playergame and data automatically displayed on said display, wherein the rulesdefine a period of time requiring the first player to forward thevirtual ball to another player for receiving a promotional item; andmeans for forwarding from said mobile terminal to another mobileterminal the virtual ball; and wherein the promotional item is providedto said mobile terminal if the virtual ball is forwarded within theperiod of time defined in the rules for the multi-player game.
 6. Themobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the data displayed on said displayof said mobile terminal includes advertising information.
 7. The mobileterminal of claim 6, wherein the advertising information displayed onsaid display of said mobile terminal relates to the promotional item. 8.The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the promotional item comprisesdiscount on a product.
 9. A wireless telecommunications systemcomprising: a plurality of mobile terminals; a wirelesstelecommunications network which communicates with a plurality of mobileterminals, wherein at least two of said mobile terminals can conduct amulti-player game in said wireless telecommunications system, whereineach mobile terminal of said at least two of said mobile terminalscomprises: a display, means for receiving, in said mobile terminal beingoperated by a first player, a message including a virtual ball relatingto the multi-player game, wherein the virtual ball includes informationrelating to rules for the multi-player game and data automaticallydisplayed on said display, wherein the rules define a period of timerequiring the first player to forward the virtual ball to another playerfor receiving a promotional item, and means for forwarding from saidmobile terminal to the other mobile terminal of said at least two mobileterminals the virtual ball, wherein the promotional item is provided tosaid mobile terminal if the virtual ball is forwarded within the periodof time defined in the rules for the multi-player game.
 10. The wirelesstelecommunications system of claim 9, wherein the data displayed on saiddisplay of said mobile terminal includes advertising information. 11.The wireless telecommunications system of claim 10, wherein theadvertising information displayed on said display of said mobileterminal relates to the promotional item.
 12. The wirelesstelecommunications system of claim 9, wherein the promotional itemcomprises discount on a product.